The Federation of Disability Organisations in Malawi (FEDOMA) has called for a more inclusive approach in the management of natural disasters in the country.
Speaking in Mulanje during a knowledge sharing session with member organisations, FEDOMA Executive Director, Simon Munde, observed that in some instances, lack of inclusiveness remains a challenge because most of the time people with disabilities are given less attention.
Munde cited distribution of relief items as an example, saying during such exercise, the approach is not inclusive enough.
One of the participants, Esther Mbite, who is chief executive officer for Voice of Women with Disabilities, placed emphasis on the need for stakeholders to strike a balance in natural disaster response programmes.
“I would like to urge stakeholders such as the Meteorological Department to even include sign language and braile in the messaging in times of disasters,” said Mbite
According to FEDOMA, last year when tropical Cyclone Freddy struck, people with disabilities lost items such as wheelchairs, walking sticks and even medicines.
